GRAND RAPIDS, MI — The parents of Gerolanita Bailey referenced a comforting bit of scripture as they reminded Kent Circuit Judge Dennis Leiber in a letter that the "Lord's tender mercies are over all his works."

Though that may be true, embezzling thousands of dollars from a Grand Rapids church is anything but a tender idea, Leiber said, as he spoke to Bailey in court on Thursday, April 11.

Everyone wants the God of mercy when it comes time for sentencing, he said, but few ask for the God of justice.

Justice will be up to Leiber when he decides Bailey's fate in July.

After pleading no contest to embezzling between $50,000 and $100,000 from Pilgrim Rest Missionary Baptist Church, it's likely many restitution payments lie ahead for Bailey.

Leiber on Thursday, April 11 chose to impose the same delay of sentence he issued to former Pilgrim Rest Pastor Arthur Pearson last week as the judge asked for finalized amounts of restitution owed to the church.

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